Eight-Penny News

It's no news to builders that the
New England housing market has
softened. Economic uncertainty,
inflated prices, and a glut of
homes are slowing sales. The
slump is worst in the middle and
upper ranges, and many a
$200,000 spec house sits empty.
However, starter homes, which
were overlooked during the
boom, are still in demand. Real
estate agents and lenders expect
such homes to move well if they
can be made affordable to firsttime
homebuyers.
Establishing affordability is the
goad of several governmentsponsored
programs. Found in
some form in every New England
state, these programs help low
and middle-income first-time
homebuyers.
As a builder and developer,
you can't use these programs
directly (except to buy your own
home). However, knowing the
programs and directing potential
buyers